Susannah welcomes Channel 6 co-founder and Shutdown Fullcast co-host Spencer Hall to today’s episode of Open Mic!

03:04 - Sooz welcomes to Spencer to the show. It’s the first time they’ve spoken in over a decade, going back to their SB Nation days and they reminisce for the occasion.

05:29 - The origin and rise of the Every Day Should Be Saturday college football blog or more commonly known as EDSBS and how that kicked off Spencer’s career

08:17 - Sooz mentions her favorite SB Nation-era project Spencer took part in and leads into some words about participatory journalism

12:27 - Spencer’s relationship with Soccer

15:26 - Excitement level for the 2026 World Cup and how he consumes the matches

20:39 - Relationship (well, lack there of) with the USMNT

23:22 - Why isn’t the U.S. a soccer powerhouse? The Answer Will Surprise You!

25:25 - Memories of 1994, the Colombian National Team and his love for other national teams such as Nigeria and Japan (but not Italy)

33:00 - Atlanta as a Soccer City, its relationship with other sports and with Atlanta United

39:43 - Atlanta’s preparedness (it’s not) for the World Cup

44:52 - Comprehending how visitors will handle the commutes (and why the British NEED to bring sunscreen)

46:39 - Will this World Cup give soccer a boost in the U.S.?

49:41 - Lightning Question Round

50:59 - Close

Spencer Hall: @edsbs.bsky.social

Channel 6: https://channel-6.ghost.io/

Shutdown Fullcast: @shutdownfullcast.bsky.social

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.com

See our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview